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Union Pacific Houston Cancer – Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, residents of Houston’s Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn’t done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.
Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that’s black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, Union Pacific Houston Cancer burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.
Residents of Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don’t break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin aren’t clear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren’t volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.
It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you’ll be affected by dioxins or not.
The kind of contaminant used is crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person’s eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city’s health department announced Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said the results weren’t encouraging. FOX 26’s Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from weeks or even years.
The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad’s contamination site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.
Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and Union Pacific Houston Cancer adults.
It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and it should be dealt with immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
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